August 8, 2008
Dear Residents of Orange County:
As your Sheriff, I have been given the responsibility, legal authority, and discretion to issue licenses to carry concealed weapons (CCW) for those residents and business owners of the County who face credible and significant threats to their personal safety.
The possession of a CCW license provides the legal justification to carry a concealed firearm in a public place, an act that is otherwise prohibited by the laws of the State of California. I have sworn to uphold the law and do not view my position or authority as a means to legislate or override the state’s penal code. However, I am also cognizant of a number of County residents and business owners who face serious or imminent risk to their safety. Such persons may be protected from crime and violence by the possession of a CCW license.
I take this dual obligation very seriously and will utilize my authority to enact CCW issuance policies that are consistent, equitable, and fair. I have directed my staff to conduct a thorough review of current policies while also examining the issuance criteria of other law enforcement agencies to ensure the Orange County Sheriff’s Department follows industry-standard practices.
CCW licenses will be issued to persons of good and upstanding character who possess credible, significant, and substantiated cause to fear for their safety. CCW licenses will not be issued for political, social or other reasons.
All current licenses and future applications will be reviewed and evaluated to ensure they meet new issuance policies as set forth in the attached policy statement. Current license holders and applicants must meet the good cause threshold and pass a background check. CCW licenses will not be issued to persons with:
- A previous felony conviction
- A previous misdemeanor conviction for acts or threats of violence or weapons-related charges
- A previous misdemeanor conviction within the last five years.
Page 2
CCW Policy
August 8, 2008
Applicants may be required to meet new provisions under the policy to include:
- Applicants may be required to submit to psychological or polygraph testing as part of the background investigation.
- License restrictions may be utilized for those holders who have situation-specific needs.
- Applicants may be required to submit a medical clearance letter from their physician.
CCW licenses will only be issued to applicants who meet the issuance policies set forth in the attachment.
The possession of a CCW license brings great responsibility and increased accountability. I expect holders to exercise sound judgment and discretion. Concealed firearms should never be displayed or drawn except under the most dire circumstances and only as a last resort. License holders will be held directly responsible for misuse of weapons or their licenses and be subject to license revocation or criminal prosecution.
Sincerely,
Sandra Hutchens
Sheriff-Coroner
To view the new policy click here:
CCW Department policy - August 2008.pdf (638.71 kb)